Earth auger



April 8, 1952 N. M. ERDAHL.

EARTH AUGER Filed Jan. 51. 1948 l5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.A//5//02/95/)2E/eDA/M April 8, 1952 Filed Jan. 51, 1948 N. M. ERDAHLEARTH AUGER 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 zMW'M April 8, 1952 EARTH AUGER 13Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 3l, 1948 2 oF Tena-ran N. M. ERDAHL.

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EARTH AUGER Filed Jan. 51, 1948 l 15 Sheets-Sheet l1 WWW' Afro/@NZMApril 8, 1952 N, M, ERDAHL 2,592,402

EARTH AUGER Filed Jan. 51, 1948 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 N. M. ERDAHL April 8,1952 EARTH AUGER 13 Sheets-Sheet l5 Filed Jan. 51, 1948 llllllllll|||.V|||Il|| 5y ArTO/EWEQ Patented Apr. 8, 1952 EARTH AUGER` Nicholas M.Erdahl, Milwaukee, Wis., assigner to Trackson Company, Milwaukee, Wis.,a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 31, 1948, Serial No.5,581

(Cl. Z55-22) Claims. l

This invention relates to improvements in power driven augers for boringin earth and particularly to an earth auger mounted on a vehicle andeither utilizing power from the vehicle drive or from a separate powersource, for moving the auger both axially and rotatably as required.

In devices of this type it is essential that the auger beso mounted withrespect to the vehicle that a vertical hole may be drilled while thevehicle due to uneven and sloping terrain is at anangle to thehorizontal. The accomplishment of this has entailed the use of highlycomplex mechanical motion transmission mechanism which resulted indifcult operation, faulty control, unbalanced stresses and general lossof efficiency.

It is one object of the invention therefore to provide a power drivenearth auger in which movements of the auger are controlled byparticularly simple means so coordinated and intelocked as to makefaulty operation of the auger virtually impossible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power driven earth augerin which power may be applied to the auger for either independent orsimultaneous axial and rotational movements thereof as desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle mounted earthauger in which reversible power flow to the auger is controlled by theoperator of the vehicle while operation of the auger itself iscontr-olled by a separate attendant.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an earth auger inwhich the auger bar can be controlled and operated without unbalancedstresses being created in the operating mechanism.

And another object of the invention is to provide a power driven earthauger in which the several'porti-ons are divided into sub-assemblies foreasy manufacture, assembly and maintenance, in which none of the drivingmechanism and chain protecting means are exposed and in which the partsmost frequently requiring replacement are readily accessible with theminimum disassembly of the structure.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of a crawler type tractor with the earth augerof the present invention mounted thereon and in position fortransportation thereby;

Fig. 2 is a rear View of the device with a fragment of the earth augerin the raised or operating position;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic top view showing the structuralrelations of the various portions of the earth auger structure to beapplied to a tractor;

Fig. 4 is a view taken from one side 'of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but taken from the other side of thestructure of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic View of a portion of the structure shown inFig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an elevation, with portions of the internal structureindicated in dotted line, of a reversing gearing through which power istaken from the tractor engine for driving the earth auger;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on a substantially horizontal andbroken plane through Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken on a substantially vertical and brokenplane through Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a partial sectional View on substantially a horizontal plane,of a drive intermediate the reversing gearing of Figs. 7, 8 and 9 and afinal drive;

Fig. 11 is a view on substantially a vertical plane longitudinally ofthe shaft of the assembly shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a View, from the right hand of Fig. 11, partially in verticalsection and partially in elevation;

Fig. 13 is a partial top plane of the levers controlling the clutches inthe intermediate drive of Figs. 10 and 11;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation fromthe left hand end of Fig. 10;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view substantially on the longitudinal axis of anauger bar and the final drive for securing rotational and axial movementthereof;

Fig. 17 is a sectional View, omitting the chain, on the plane XVII- XVIIof Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section of the auger bar engaging means;

Fig. 19 is a bottom plan View of the auger bar engaging means of Fig.18;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View, on substantially alongitudinal plane, of a mast with means connecting the head portion ofthe auger bar and a chain for axially moving the bar;

Fig. 21 is aside elevation of a modified form 3 of mast, with portionsbroken out and portions in section;

Fig. 22 is a top view of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a section taken on the plane of line XXIII-XXIII of Fig. 2l;

Fig. 24 is an enlarged View partially in section, of a mast, with chainrestraining means mounted thereon;

Fig. 25 is a section of a portion of the chain restraining means of Fig.24;

Fig. 26 is a sectional View on the plane of line XXVI-XXVI of Fig. 21;

Fig. 27 is a section on the plane of line XXVII-XXVII of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a top plan of a block guiding movement of the auger bar inthe mast of Fig. 2l;

Fig. 29 is a side elevation of the guide block;

Fig. 30 is a side elevation, with some internal parts indicated indotted lines, of power driven means for swinging the mast longitudinallyof the tractor;

Fig. 31 is a view partly in end elevation and partly sectional on thebroken plane XXXI- XXXI of Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 is a sectional view on plane XXXII- XXXII of Fig. 33, of meansfor taking power off the intermediate drive;

Fig. 33 is a substantially central vertical section of the structure ofFig. 32 and of a portion of the intermediate drive;

Fig. 34 is a View partially in section and partially in elevation of awinch applicable to the present device;

Fig. 35 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation of thestructure shown in Fig.

Fig. 36 is a view partially in section and partially in side elevationof the auger bit;

Fig. 37 is a rear elevation of the auger bit;

Fig. 38 is a diagram of the power flow for lowering the auger and forfeeding the auger in digging;

Fig. 39 is a view similar to Fig. 38 but showing the power flow fordriving the auger and for lifting the auger.

Generally, the present device employs any vehicle which has mountedthereon a power source, and, preferably, a tractor of the well-knowncrawler type driven by an internal combustion engine and provided withmeans for taking power from the engine in addition to the usual drivefor automotive movement of the tractor. An auxiliary frame is mounted onthe tractor to support the other portions of the earth auger structure.A reversible gearing is connected with the tractor power take-01T todeliver power by way of a chain drive and a gearing transmission througha number of propeller shaft assemblies mounted on the auxiliary frame,the second of such assemblies serving as a longitudinal pivot on whichthe remainder of the structure may be tilted transversely to thelongitudinal vertical plane through the tractor. The second propellershaft assembly supports and is connected with an intermediate gear andclutch assembly by which power flow to the ends of the intermediateshaft, may be controlled.

The intermediate gear and clutch assemblydelivers power through a pairof chain drives carried in chain drive casings spaced on opposite sidesof said longitudinal pivot to a nal drive mechanism which is mountedbetween said chain drive casings on a transverse pivot for movementlongitudinally of the tractor. The final drive has mounted therein a barfor both axial and rotational drive in either` direction. Thelongitudinal axis of the bar is close enough to the axis of thetransverse pivot and the axis of the longitudinal pivot so that for thepractical application of forces such longitudinal axis may be consideredas intersecting such axes. This balances the forces and preventsunbalanced stresses tending to tilt the bar from the selected positionduring feeding and driving thereof. The axial drive for the auger bar isprovided with resilient means for taking up slack and reducing stressesin the axial drive and with a latch for yieldingly holding the drive ina given position. An auger bit is mounted on one end of the bar and isprovided with a readily removable and replaceable earth cutting edge andwith earth breaking points. Separate means are provided for adjustingthe auger to the desired position either in the longitudinal verticalplane of the tractor or transversely thereto. Such means may be manuallyoperable or, at least one of such means, may be replaced by power drivenmeans. A power takeoff is connectible with the second propeller shaftfor driving auxiliary mechanism.

The auger bar is mounted in a inast which may carry a cable handled by awinch driven from a source of power on the vehicle so that the mast maybe used as a crane boom for handling poles or posts, etc.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the numeral 45 generallydesignates a well known tractor with crawler treads 46 and havingtheusual power take-off shaft indicated at 41 in Figs. 4, 5 and 9 andextending from the rear of the tractor, and 48 designates the usualtractor frame. An auxiliary frame is adapted to be mounted on thetractor frame 48 and comprises (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5) interconnectedside members 53, together with end members 55 and 56, the whole of theabove frame supporting the major portion of the novel structuredisclosed in the present application, to overhang from the rear of thetractor. A reversible gearing, generally indicated at 59 (Figs. 1, 2, 6,and 9) is mounted directly on the rear wall 18 of the housing for thetractor power take-off and is connected by a sprocket chain drive 60with one end of a first propeller shaft assembly 6| (Fig. 4). A gearingtransmission 62 receives power from first propeller assembly 6| andtransmits the power to a second propeller assembly 63. The propellershaft assembly 63 is connected with an intermediate drive 64 from whichpower flows by way of either chain drive 65 or 6G to either a nal drive61 by which the power is applied for moving a bar 12 rotatably or to afinal drive 68 for axially moving the bar. The bar is enclosed in a mast13 and carries an auger bit 14 for boring holes in earth.

The reversible gearing 59 is mounted directly on the rear wall 18 of thehousing for the tractor power take-off, the gearing being enclosedwithin a housing 19 in which is mounted a first shaft 8E) which ispreferably directly connected with the power take-0E shaft 41. A gear 8|is keyed on shaft 8D and is continuously in mesh with a gear 82preferably integral with a gear 83 and spaced therefrom, the gears 82,83 being mounted on a second shaft 84 in the casing. A third shaft s1 ism'unted in the housing 19 and has one end extending therefrom. Theportion of the shaft S1 within the housing is splined for slidablemounting thereon of a gear 88 with a grooved hub 89 receiving a fork `90slidable on rod 9| when pressure is exerted on the fork by an arm 92 ona pivot 93 extending beyond the housing 19 for connection with a linkage94, 95 and 96 operable by a lever 91 easily accessible from the tractorseat by the operator thereof. Hence, the gear 88 may engage with gear 8|or 83 to rotate the shaft 81 in either direction and hence to permitoperaticn in either direction of rotation whenever desired, of asprocket |0| on the end of the shaft 81 extending beyond housing 19.

The sprocket |0I is part of the chain drive 60 (see Fig. 6) and isconnected by a chain, indicated at |02, with a sprocket, indicated at|03, on one end of the shaft of the first propeller assembly 6|. Suchchain drives are well known and the chain drive 60 is hence not shown indetail.

The shaft of sprocket |03 (see Fig. 4) is mounted in the housing forchain drive 60 and extends therefrom. Such shaft is connected by auniversal joint to a propeller shaft which is adjustable. The propellershaft is in turn connected by another universal joint with the geartransmission 62 (see Fig. 15). Such transmission (see Figs. and 15)comprises a housing |05 in which is mounted shaft |06 with gear |01fixed thereon. Such gear meshes With a gear |08 xed on the shaft ofsecond propeller assembly 63. The detail structure of both the rstpropeller assembly and of the gearing transmission is well known andneed not be further described. 'i

The second propeller assembly 63 forms a longitudinal pivot on which theintermediate drive 64, the chain drives 65, 66, the final drives 61. 68,and the auger are supported for tilting the auger transversely relativeto the longitudinal vertical plane through the tractor, An outer tube||2 with pads ||3 rests on the frame 53-56 and is fixed thereto. Abushing ||4 is placed in the tube and, at one end, receives a bearing||5 in which an inner tube I|5 is supported to receive a bearing ||1 forone end of a propeller shaft I|8. The other end of the outer tube I I2has mounted directly therein a bearing |2I to receive a flanged member|22 which is fixed to the end of the inner tube |I6 and which supports abearing |23 for the other end of the propeller shaft II8. It will thusbe seen that the inner tube ||6, shaft IIS and member |22 may be rotatedrelative to the outer tube |-|2 which forms a rigid support for suchmoving parts and the parts mounted thereon.

It Will be seen by reference to Fig. 32 that housing |05 is so mountedon the outer tube ||2 that the housing may be swung about the center ofpropeller shaft H8 in either direction whenever the bolts are removed.As the angular spacing of the bolt holes is 45 the adjustment may bemade in increments of 45. Such arrangement greatly facilitates mountingof the structure either by the use of the pads I I3 directly or by useof a frame |26 when the earth auger is to be mounted on a yieldingplatform, such as a truck floor. Reference to Figs. l and 4 makes itclear that when the auger unit is mounted on the tractor with the powertake-off at the rear the power is supplied to shaft |06 of gearingtransmission 62 from the left as viewed in Fig. 4 and from the right asviewed in Figs. and 33. However when the unit is mounted on a truckwhich has the power take-off at the front the power is supplied to shaft|06 from the right as viewed in Fig. 4 and from the left as viewed inFigs. 15 and 33. This is accomplished by merely alternating the pads onthe shaft holes of the housing 62 and inserting the shaft from theopposite side. The alternative truck position is illustrated in Figs.15, 32, and 33. When used on a yielding platform the power is suppliedto shaft |06 from the end opposite (see Fig. 33) to that in which it issupplied with the tractor (see Fig. 15).

The propeller shaft II8 has mounted thereon a bevel gear |24 to deliverpower to the intermediate drive 64 particularly shown in Figs. 10, 11,12 and 15. A housing |21 supports shaft |28 which has bevel gears |30and |3| meshing with propeller gear |24. the gears |30, |3| beingmounted in suitable bearings |32, |33 in housing |21 and providingsupport for the central portion of the shaft |28. The bevel gear |30 iskeyed to shaft |28 so that the latter rotates Whenever shaft 8 rotates.mounted about shaft |28 in a bearing |31 to coact with clutch portion|38 of a rst plate clutch having the plates thereof bearing on a ring|39 on the shaft. The clutch part |38 has an extended hub portion |40supported in a bearing |4| mounted in the housing with a sprocket |45xed thereon to form a part of the chain drive 65. Thus when clutchportion |38 is engaged, it will rotate With the shaft |28 and cause thechain drive 65 to operate. The plate clutch portion |36 is slidablymounted on shaft |28 for engagement with the clutch portion |38 by afork |42 (see Fig. 1l) mounted on a pivot |43 and adapted to be actuatedby a leverage externally of the casing |21, as will appear hereinafter.

The gear I3I rotates on the intermediate assembly shaft |28 and has anextended hub on which is xedly mounted one portion |43 of a second plateclutch of which the plates bear on a ring |49 on a quill |50 (see Fig.10) rotatably mounted on the shaft |28 and supported in a bearing |5Imounted in the housing for chain drive 66. Thus when clutch portion |48is engaged the quill |50 will rotate at about the same speed as shaft|28 but in the opposite direction. The other portion |52 of the secondplate clutch is slidable on the quill |50 and is combined with oneportion |53 of a rst cone clutch, both the clutch portions |52 and |53being supported by a bearing |54 and movable by a fork |55 on a pivot|56 upon movement thereof by a leverage externally of the casing |28, aswill appear hereinafter. The other half |51 of the first cone clutch issupported on a bearing |58 on the quill |50 and is peripherally toothedfor meshing with a gear |63 on one end of a quill |64 supported on afixed counter bar |65. The quill |64 has a gear |66 mounted on the otherend thereof to mesh vwith a gear |61 splined on that portion of shaft|28 between the bevel gears |30, |3I. The half |51 is thus continuallydriven at a slower R. P. M. than the shaft |28 and in the samedirection. Hence when clutch portion |48 is disengaged and clutch half|51 engaged, the quill |50 will be driven at a reduced R. P. M.

All of the intermediate drive clutches are of the type whichautomatically disengage unless positively held in engagement by theauger attendant. Such clutch structure is essential for safe and easyoperation of the machine and greatly contributes to the speed with whichthe machine produces its end result.

Quill |50 has fixed adjacent one end thereof a sprocket |12 (formingportion of the chain drive 66) to which is connected one portion |13 ofa f second cone clutch, the other portion |14 of such A plate clutchportion |36 is 7 cone clutch being mounted in a bearing and splined onthe end of shaft |28 for sliding thereon by means of a fork |16 on apivot |11 which is to be actuated by a leverage externally of thehousing ||1, as will appear hereinafter.

The clutch pivot |11 bears a crank |89 (see Fig. 12) connected by anadjustable rod |8| with the lower arm |32 (see Figs. 13 and 14) of adouble armed bell crank |83 mounted on a. pivot |84 in a portion of theintermediate drive housing |21, the bell crank having an operating armadjustably connected with a lever |85 extending toward one side of thetractor and beyond the rear end thereof. Clutch pivot |43 also bears acrank |88 connected by link |89 with the upper arm |90 of the bell crank|83. Clutch pivot |56 bears a crank |86 connected by a link |92 with onearm of a bell crank |93 mounted on the other end of pivot 84 and havingits other arm adjustably connected with a lever |94 extending adjacentlever |85. It will thus be seen that the various clutches of theintermediate drive are controllable only from a location at which theauger is under the direct observation of an attendant other than thetractor operator. The pair of clutches |36, |38 and |13, |14 are thusoperable by lever |85 while the piar of clutches |48, |52, and |53, |51are operable by lever |94 so that the clutches of each pair can beoperated only simultaneously and in opposite directions. When lever |85is pressed down, clutch |35, |38 is engaged to rotate the auger and whensuch lever is lifted, clutch |13, |14 is engaged to lower the augertoward the ground. When lever |94 is pressed down, clutch |53, |51 isengaged to feed the auger into the ground and when such lever is lifted,clutch |48, |52 is engaged to lift the auger out of the bored hole.Hence, the attendant need not shift his grasp on the levers duringboring operation of the auger. Lever |94 cannot cause clutch |53,

|51 to be engaged at the same time as clutch |48, |52. Levers |85, |94are so interlocked that it is impossible to engage clutch |48, |52 forlifting the auger simultaneously with engagement of clutch |13, |14 forlowering the auger. Barrels |95 are formed adjacent the pivot |84 toreceive a pin |96 which is urged toward the lever |94 by spring |91under compression. One end of the pin |98 engages in a socket in one armof bell crank |93 when lever |94 is in neutral position, while the otherend of the pin engages in a slot in the operating arm of bell crank |83when movement of lever |94 out of the neutral position forces the pin tomove toward the bell crank |83 against pressure of the spring |51. Suchslot is so shaped that lever |85 may be pressed down to engage the augerdriving clutch |36, |38 at any time but such lever cannot be raised upto engage the lowering clutch |13, |14 unless the lever |94 is inneutral position. It is, therefore, impossible for the auger attendantto engage the lifting clutch |48, |52 and the lowering clutch |13, |14at the same time, and hence it is impossible to apply opposing forces.Hence, it is virtually impossible for the attendant to make an error inthe operation of such clutches.

The sprocket |45 is connected by a chain |98 (see 16), with a sprocket|99 forming a portion of the chain drive 65 andthe sprocket |12 isconnor by a chain 200 with a, sprocket 20| forming portion of the chaindrive 53. The casings 232 and 293 for the respective chains form asupport for the housing 291 enclosing the final drives 61 and 68. Thefinal drives housing 201'is supported between the chain drive casings202 and 203 on hub-like portions 208 and 209 extending through bearings2I0 into the chain drive housings so that the nal drives may pivotbetween such casings. The hub 208 is provided with bearings 2|4receiving shaft 2|5 on which the sprocket |99 is xed at one end toreceive the chain |98. The other end of shaft 2|5 has fixed thereon abevel gear 2|6 for the purpose of rotating the bar 12 as will bedescribed, and such shaft end is supported in a bearing 2|1 in the hub208. One advantage of this construction is that the auger bar issupported between opposite casings which increases stability andstrength and still permits a splitting of the driving and rotatingpowerflow.

The final drive housing 201 carries bearings 220 in which is rotatablymounted a substantially cylindrical sleeve 22| with a flange 222 (seeFigs. 13 and 19). A pair of blocks or fillers, 223, 224 is fixed in thesleeve to provide a square interior passage to guide a squared portionof the bar 12 in its axial movement therethrough. The fillers areseverally provided with tabs 225 engaging in notches in an end of thesleeve, and are held against movement relative to the sleeve by a nut226 locked by clamp bolt 221. The sleeve flange 222 has mounted thereona ring gear 229 meshing with the gear 2|6. Hence, driving the sprocket|99 and gear 2|6 rotates ring gear 229 and bar 12 and such rotation maybe in either direction dependent on the manner in which the gears aremeshed in the reversing gearing 59. The sleeve forms the sole steadyingsupport for the lower end of the bar 12 which is also supported at itsupper end, but has no support intermediate the two ends.

Because of the fact that the driving blocks 223, 224 are subjected tosliding therethrough of exposed and dirty portion of the bar 12 and topressure dependent on the direction in which the bar is being rotated,and are therefore the elements most frequently requiring replacement,such blocks and the retaining means therefor are specially designed foreasy and quick removal and replacement. When the blocks are Worn, it isnecessary merely to remove the clamp bolt 221 and to back off nut 226whereupon the blocks drop out of sleeve 22| and new blocks may beinserted. None of the other auger driving mechanism need be disturbed inmaking the above change.

The hub 209 is provided with a plurality of bearings 23| supporting ashaft 232 having the sprocket 20| mounted on one end thereof and havinga gear 233 xed on the other end thereof. The gear 233 drives a speedreducing gear train housed in the nnal drive ycasing 201 and comprisinggears 234 and 235 on the same shaft and a gear 238 mounted on one end ofa shaft 239 having a sprocket 240 (see also Fig. 17) mounted on theother end thereof. The speed reducing gearing and sprocket 240 form apart of the means for securing axial movement of the bar 12, theremaining portions of the axial bar drive being associated with andpartially inclosed in a mast mounted on the final drive casing 201 andsubstantially enclosing the bar 12.

The mast may comprise a tubular socket 245 in which is mounted a tube246 with a semi-cylindrical chain channel 241 as indicated in Figs. 1, 4and 20. But the mast preferably comprises a substantially square socket250, as shown in Figs. 26 and 27, in which are fixed two integral U-shaped side channels 25| and 252 in opposed relation with a seat 253extending from one side 9 of the socket for a purpose to be described.The

-side panels are interconnected on one side by relatively shallowU-shaped strips 254 and on the other side by relatively deep archedstrips 255 with a continuous bar 256 mounted edgewise on the top of thearched straps to provide a guide for a chain 259 for moving the augeraxially. A guard 24| extends from the mast adjacent sprocket 240 to keepchain 259 .engaged with the sprocket even if the chain should becomeslack for any reason.

When a tubular mast is used, a substantially cylindrical member 260 (seeFig. is used as a guide block for the upper end of the auger bar 12 butwhen a square mast is used, a guide block 263 (see Figs. 28, 29) is usedfor the upper end of the auger bar. The guide blocks also serve forattachment of the chain 259 to the auger bar 12. The block 263 issubstantially rectangular in transverse section and is provided withreplaceable bearings 262 seating in the mast side channels 252 forsliding movement therein.

Regardless of the type of mast and guide block used, the means forattaching the ends of the chain 259 to either of such blocks issubstantially the same. A plurality of bearings 266 (see Fig. 20) aremounted in the guide block to receive the end of the auger bar 12 forrotation thereof relative to the block. A cap 261 is xed on one end ofthe guide block 260 and has a flanged aperture therethrough to receive astem 268 extending from a connector block 269 with a peripheral ange210. The block 269 is connected with one end of chain 259 which passesover a sprocket 21| on the mast and over the drive sprocket 240. Theconnector stem 268 has a flanged sleeve 212 mounted thereon forretaining a compression spring 213 between the end wall of the cap andthe sleeve flange. A second compression spring 214 is seated between theconnector block flange 210 and an apertured stop 215 fixed in the mastimmediately below the sprocket 21| to absorb the shock when the bar 12reaches fully raised position. (It will be understood that cap 261 isomitted when guide blocks 263 are used and that the stem and springconnection of block 269 are then within the guide block 263.)

The cap 261 has a lateral projection 219 with an aperture through whichis passed a bolt 280 for attaching the other end of the chain 259, the,c

nut 28| of the bolt seating on a flanged sleeve 282 and retaining athird compression spring 283 between the cap projection 219 and theflange of sleeve 282. While sleeves 212 and 282 are shown abutting thecap 261 and projection 219 respectively, when the device is inoperation, only one sleeve will be in such position at a time. When thechain is forced in one direction by the sprocket 240 slack will normallyoccur in the chain between the sprocket and the non-working end of thechain. As this occurs the respective one of springs 213 and 283 willexpand to keep tension on the chain. The chain 259 is accordinglyconnected at both ends with the bar 12 by tension take-up meansautomatically operable in either direction. Cap projection 219 isengaged in chain guide 241 to prevent rotation of guide block 260 inmast tube 246, which would interfere with free movement of chain y259.It will be noted that all of the springs interconnecting bar 12 andchain 259 are located far from the auger so that the present device isnot subject to the criticism that the impact and stress reducing springsbecome dirt packed and fail to perform their function. Further, it willbe readily seen that the present machine is improperly 10 assembledunless all of the springs are in place for performing their function,

It is desirable to provide resiliently yielding means for holding theauger bar against downward movement when in the vertical position andwhen no power is applied thereto. The chain 259 accordingly passesthrough a bracket loop 261 (see Figs. 24 and 25) extending from the mastand providing a multiple socketed member 268 in which two adjacentportions of the chain may seat. A pin 299 extends across the bracket 261to receive a yoke 29| in which is mounted a pin 292 for rotatablyreceiving a roller 293 and the ends of a second yoke 294. A rod 295extends from the yoke 294 through a hole in the seat 253 on the mast andadjustably supports the end of a spring 296 seating at the other end inthe seat 253, the spring urging the roller into engagement with andpressing the chain portions into the socketed member 268. A crank 291 isfixed on the pivot 290 and is connected by a link 298 with a lever 295pivoted on the side of the mast. Movement of the lever 299 clockwiseswings the roller 293 out of engagement with and allows free movement ofthe chain when desired, but reverse movement of the lever again engagesthe roller with the chain and resiliently latches the chain in position.

The entire intermediate and nal drive structure above described may bepivoted on the outer tube l2 of the assembly 63 to swing the mast 13transversely of the tractor. Pivoting of the nal drives 61 and 68 in thechain casings 202 and 203 allows the mast 13 to be swung longitudinallyof the tractor to any position between the substantially horizontalposition shown in broken lines in Fig. l and a positionI well to theleft of the vertical as viewed in Fig. l. During such swing the mast 13is adequately supported on both sides of its longitudinal axis, thusequalizing stresses and aiding smooth operation.

Such swinging can be obtained by manually operable means or by powerdriven means. Manually operable means for both longitudinal andtransverse swinging of the bar are shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Therequired transverse swing is within relatively narrow limits and can beclone quickly and with little effort. Hence, such swing is preferablyobtained by manually operable means and includes a worm wheel segment304 mounted on the intermediate drive casing |21 for engagement with aworm 305 rotatably mounted in a casing 396 fixed on assembly 63. Ifdesired, manually operable means may also be used for the longitudinalswinging of the bar. This comprises a worm wheel segment 309 xed on thefinal drive casing 201 and engageable by a worm 3|0 rotatable in aeasing 3|! mounted on the casing of chain drive 65. One end of each wormextends beyond its casing and is squared to receive a suitable handcrank (not shown) However', swinging of the mast 13 longitudinally fromthe horizontal position to vertical position by manual means requiresconsiderable effort and time and such manual means may be advantageouslyreplaced by power driven means such as shown in Figs. 30 and 31. Suchpower drive involves connection of the worm 3| 0 with the chain drive 65by suitable clutch means under the control of the auger attendant. Ahousing 3|6 is connected with the worm housing 3H for rotatablysupporting a shaft 3|1 in bearing BIS and having a bevel gear 3|9thereon. lThe housing 3|5 has a lateral portion 322 with bearings 323.for rotatably supporting a shaft 324 at .a

11 right angle to shaft 3|1. The shaft 3|1 has a bevel gear 325 engaginggear 3|!) and a sprocket 328. An extension shaft 336 is mounted in thecasing of chain drive 65 to the hub of sprocket |99 and is rotatedwhenever the bar 12 is rotated. A sprocket 33| is formed with elongatedhub por tions and is rotatably mounted on extension shaft 330. Theextension shaft 336 and the sprocket 33| are formed with jaws providinga jaw clutch engageable when sprocket 33| is moved toward sprocket |59.Sprockets 328 and 33| are interconnected by a chain indicated at 333 fordriving the Worm 3|8 when the jaw clutch is engaged at the will of theauger attendant. A bar 334 mounted in casing 332 slidably supports asleeve 335 with a fork engageable with a groove in the hub of sprocket33|. A push button 336 extends outside of casing 332 from the sleeve.The sleeve is urged in one direction by a spring 331 tending to keep thejaw clutch disengaged unless the i action of the spring is overcome bythe attendant pressing on the button. Power is taken from Sprocket |99by engaging the clutch. This also shifts sprocket 33| into alignmentwith sprocket 328 and delivers power to the gearing 325, 3| 3 and to theworm 3 I 8. Such power is supplied only so long as the jaw clutch isheld in engagement and the auger bar 12 is rotating. |The spring 331disengages the jaws of clutch immediately upon release of the button.

The operation of the device will now be explained by reference todiagrammatic Figs. 38 and 39, with the assumptions that the auger andthe drives are in the position shown in Fig. 2, that the vehicle powertake-off clutch is engaged so that power may be taken from the engineand that reversible gearing 59 is so engaged as to give the rotationindicated by the arrow about shaft I8, in Figs. 38 and 39 (whichrotation will be called the forward direction). The auger and the barare rst rapidly lowered into contact With ground then rotated andpositively slowly fed or forced into the ground. Upon completion of theboring operation, the auger is lifted out of the bored hole. During thelifting it may be rotated if so desired. If need arises the auger may berotated in the reverse direction to clear it from any obstruction.

Referring particularly to Fig. 38, fast lowering of the auger requiresflow of power as indicated in dot-dash line and requires engagement ofthe cone clutch |13, |14. Power is then transmitted through gears |24,|30, shaft |28, clutch |13, |14, sprocket |12 and chain 260 to sprocket23| which drives gear train 233--238 and sprocket 240. Sprocket 246rotates in the direction to cause counterclockwise movement of the mastchain 259 which lowers the auger relatively rapidly to the surface ofthe ground. Feeding of the auger into the ground then requires movementof the bar and auger in the lowering direction but at a relatively slowrate. Hence, clutch |13, |14 is now disengaged and cone clutch |53, |51is engaged to secure power flow (see dotted line) through gears |24,|38, shaft |28 and gear |61, gear |66, quill |64, gear |53 and clutch|53, |51 to sprocket |12 which drives the chain 289,

vand hence slowly rotates the sprocket 249 as above described. It willbe seen that a considerable speed reduction now occurs which provides arate of downward movement for feeding the auger which is less than thatobtained from the auger lowering drive.

Referring now to Fig. 39, the flow of power for driving or rotating theauger is shown in dotted line and for lifting the auger is shown indot-dash line. For driving the auger the clutch |36, |38 is engaged andpower flows through gears |24, |36, intermediate drive shaft |28, clutch|36, |38 to sprocket |45 and through the chain |98 to sprocket |99, gear2|6 and ring gear 229 which is fixed to the sleeve 22| clasping the bar12 for rotational movement. Lifting the auger after it has been drivento the desired depth requires engagement of plate clutch |48, |52. Powerthen flows through gears |24, |3|, plate clutch |48, |52 and quill |56to sprocket |12 which now operates in the direction reverse from thatdescribed above for lowering and for feeding the auger into the ground.The sprocket drive chain 286 and sprocket 28| supply power to drive thespeed reducing gearing 233--238 and sprocket 246 which now drives themast chain 259 in the clockwise direction to lift the bar and the auger.During this time the auger may be rotated if desired. If at any time itis necessary to reverse the direction of auger rotation, the clutches inthe intermediate drives are set in neutral and the tractor operatorreverses the reverse gearing 59 by lever 91. Then when clutch |36, |38is engaged by pushing down lever |85 the auger will be rotated in thedirection opposite to that indicated in Fig. 39.

The mast may carry a sheave 342 (see Fig. l) over which is run a cable3153 also running under a pulley 344 movably mounted at the foot of themast, and thence to a winch generally designated 345 driven by powerfrom the propeller shaft l I8. The mast may accordingly, upon suitablepositioning thereof, be used as a boom so that poles, for example, maybe set into the holes bored by the earth auger. The power take-olf(Figs. 32 and 33) includes a housing 35| xed on the gear housing |85with a bearing 352 in an opening through the two housings in alinementwith the propeller shaft ||8 to receive a shaft 353 keyed to a sleeve354 thereabout, the sleeve having splines forming one portion of aclutch and being provided with jaws engaging similar jaws on thepropeller shaft driving gear |88. The shaft 353 extends beyond housing35| through a bearing 355 for receiving a portion of a flexible coupling384 (see Fig. 35) by which power may be supplied to the winch 345 or toany other auxiliary mechanism to be used in connection with the earthauger. A portion of the shaft 353, between the bearings 352 and 355, issplined and has mounted thereon a clutch 359 slidable into engagementwith the splines of sleeve 354 upon movement of a fork 360 `fixed on apivot 36| and operable by a lever (not shown) accessible to the vehicleoperator.

The winch 345 (see Figs. 34 and 35) may com- 'prise housing 366enclosing and supporting a shaft 361 on which is mounted a drum 368 withan anchor 369 for fastening one end of the cable 343, the other end ofthe cable being provided with a hook 316. The shaft 361 has mountedthereon, within the housing 366, a worm wheel 314 meshing with a worm315 in bearings 316 and extending from the housing. The extended end ofthe worm shaft is provided with a brake drum 311 toward which a brakeband 318 is urged by a spring 319 unless the spring action iscounter-acted as is well known. The power take-off shaft 353 and wormshaft are connected by a flexible coupling, which may be complementarysprockets 382, 383, respectively, fixed on the above shafts and joinedby a chain 384 thus providing a coupling allowing considerablemisalinement f of the two shafts.

Operation of the brake drum is under control of the vehicle operator.

The auger itself has particularly effective earth loosening points andcutting edge, both of which are removable. The auger includes a stem 390formed with a socket in one end to receive the squared end of bar l2 andsplit for clamping to the bar by a bolt 39! to prevent relative rotationof the auger and the bar, relative axial movement of the auger and thebar being prevented by a pin 392 through both the stem and the bar. Ahelix 393 is preferably formed integral with the stem and has one ormore ribs 394 on one side thereof to prevent distortion of the helixunder heavy loads of'earth. A cutting edge member 395, which isremovable and reversible, is fastened on the helix by a U-bolt 396partially imbedded in the undersurfaoe of the helix and having nutsbearing on the upper surface of the cutting edge. The end of'ithe stem390 is slotted to receive an edged and substantially diamond shapedpoint 391 extending axially of the auger and formed with wings 398extending laterally from the point and along the point at an anglegreater than that of the helix. The cutting point is held in place by abolt 399. It will thus be seen that the present auger parts cannot be sojammed as to make either the cutting edge, the point or the auger as awhole diflicult to remove from the bar 12.

It will be seen therefore that the present invention provides astructure in which supply of power to the auger and control of thedirection of action of such power on the auger and to the winch arepossible from the vehicle operating position but in which all othercontrols for the auger must be actuated from a position in which -augermovement may be directly observed by a separate attendant. The lattercontrols are so interconnected that the auger movements cannot beerroneously carried out.

The propeller shaft assembly provides a pivot for movement, in oneplane, of the remainder of the construction which is overhung from thevehicle, the overhung parts being also mounted for pivoting in anotherplane. The intermediate drive and clutch assembly permits the supply ofpower for independently or simultaneously securing axial and rotationalmovement of the auger as desired. A number of iinal drives are supportedon the intermediate drive and clutch assembly to apply power to theauger bar for rotating the same and through a speed reducer for axialmovement of the bar. Such iinal drive also provides power for pivotingthe bar and auger longitudinally of the tractor. Axial movement of theauger is positive in both directions. The mast for housing the auger mayact as a crane boom for a cable activated by power from the engine onthe vehicle. The cutting points and edge for the auger helix are somounted thereon that such edge and points may be removed and replacedwithout diiiiculty at any time. It will be seen that only sprockets2419, 2li and a portion of chain 255i are exposed while all other powertransmitting elements are enclosed in relatively tight housings.Maintenance of the machine is thus greatly facilitated and the life ofthe machine is considerably extended as compared to similar devices nowin use. The power transmitting mechanism is made up of a number ofseparately constructed sub-assemblies which are so designed as to bereadily combined without the use of shims or assembly tting operations,if the various sub-assemblies are manufactured to the usual machiningtolerances.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made therein Withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

l. In an earth auger, a vehicle having a source of power thereon, anauger mounted on the vehicle for axial movement by the power source, achain drive transmitting power from the source to the auger for axialmovement thereof in either direction, a spring yieldingly connecting oneend ci the chain with the top of the auger, and a second springyieldingly connecting the other end of the chain with said top of theauger, said springs acting alternately to maintain tension on the chainin either direction of axial movement of the auger.

2. In a power driven earth auger, a mast, an auger supported by themast, means including a chain for transmitting power from a source ofpower to the auger for axial movement thereof, and a latch mounted onthe mast for retaining the auger andAchain in predetermined positioncomprising a bracket for backing up the chain and a spring-biased leverfor engaging the chain and urging it against said bracket, and manualmeans for swinging said lever out of operation when it is desired toapply power to the chain for movement of the auger.

3. In an earth auger adapted for mounting on a vehicle having a sourceof power, an outer bearing member' iixedly mounted on the vehicle, aninner member rotatable in said outer member about a longitudinal pivot,a propeller shaft in said inner member to receive power from said powersource, a housing xedly mounted on said inner member, said housinghaving a pair of casings extending forwardly of and on opposite sides ofsaid inner member, an intermediate drive shaft in said housing receivingpower from said propeller shaft, the ends of said intermediate driveshaft extending into said casings, a nal drive housing mounted andsupported by and between said casings for rotation about a transversepivot, an auger carried by the final drive housing for axial androtational movement, and nnal drive means in said final drive housingreceiving power from said intermediate drive shaft through said casings.

4. In an earth auger, a tubular member rotatably mounted on a base forturning about a longitudinal pivot, a drive shaft mounted in said membercoaxially with said pivot. a housing for an intermediate drive securedto an end of said tubular member and extending laterally from oppositesides of said tubular member, a casing on each end of said housing, saidcasings extending forwardly of said tubular member, an intermediatedrive shaft rotatably mounted in said housing and connected with saiddrive shaft, a driving member coaxially mounted with respect to saidintermediate shaft at each end thereof, each of said driving membersbeing positioned within one of said casings, a final drive housingmounted between and supported by said casings for rotation about a pivottransversely of said longitudinal pivot, an auger bar carried in saidfinal drive housing and movable axially and rotationally -with respectthereto, ring and pinion gear means mounted within said nal drive hous-

